Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 464

“Hmm?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

Swish, swish, swish.

In the place he was looking, a young man was sitting cross-legged.

‘Who is that young man?’

The young man, dressed in pure white martial attire, had rather short hair. However, he didn’t look particularly masculine or have a strong impression.

Rather, he had a gentle appearance. The way he closed his eyes and breathed slowly looked incredibly peaceful.

On the young man’s lap was a sword. The sword, still in its scabbard, was a common longsword that could be found anywhere.

‘……Hmm.’

Moyong Gun’s gaze at the sword was quite meaningful.

‘It’s no ordinary sword.’

On the surface, it looked like a normal longsword. In fact, it probably was a normal longsword.

But not now.

Something that even Yeon Ho-Jeong hadn’t sensed. Something that only a fellow swordsman could feel.

‘It might be an ordinary sword to me, but in its owner’s hands, it would wield power no less than any treasured sword.’

Moyong Gun couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘He imbued a common sword with his soul. That’s not something you can do just because you want to. It naturally became imbued with spiritual energy after sharing life and death struggles.’

It was then.

“Who are you?”

The young man asked, still with his eyes closed.

Moyong Gun cleared his throat.

“My apologies. It seems I’ve disturbed your meditation.”

Swoosh.

The young man, Yeon Ji-Pyeong, opened his eyes, smiled, and rose from his seat.

“I wasn’t exactly meditating. If I were deep in meditation, I wouldn’t have noticed the Commander’s arrival.”

“Is that so?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong, with a sword at his waist, clasped his hands in front of Moyong Gun.

“I am Yeon Ji-Pyeong.”

“Ah, yes. Haven’t we spoken a few times before?”

“We have.”

A strange dignity could be glimpsed in his calm voice.

An unexpected light flickered across Moyong Gun’s face.

‘He’s different from Yeonje [Yeon Ho-Jeong].’

The aura he exuded was so different from Yeon Ho-Jeong that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were polar opposites.

Well, who could possibly have a similar disposition to Yeon Ho-Jeong? Considering Yeonwi’s [Yeon family’s] presence and dignity, Yeon Ho-Jeong was the odd one out.

“Do you happen to know what kind of relationship I have with Daesu [referring to Yeon Ho-Jeong]?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong nodded.

“I heard that my older brother treats you as a brother in private.”

Moyong Gun clicked his tongue.

“Well, I call him brother, but it’s a bit different from what you might think. In fact, it’s more like I begged him to become sworn brothers.”

“I see.”

“So, you can treat me comfortably too. If you’re Yeonje’s younger brother, you’re like a younger brother to me as well.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong bowed his head.

“I will treat you as an older brother from now on.”

Moyong Gun waved his hand.

“There’s no need to treat me like that. I just mean you can be comfortable around me.”

“Understood.”

His tone was plain.

Moyong Gun looked at Yeon Ji-Pyeong with a renewed expression.

‘Was he always like this?’

The first time he truly recognized Yeon Ji-Pyeong was when they went to Gwangdong.

He had seen him a few times before, but back then, Yeon Ji-Pyeong had an almost insane impression. He was unwashed, and even while riding his horse, he would constantly mutter incomprehensible words. He was truly an oddity.

‘Was it a pilgrimage to attain enlightenment?’

He knew why Yeon Ji-Pyeong had been in that state.

He just hadn’t paid much attention to it. If you were a martial artist, a swordsman, you were bound to go through such a period. Overcoming such trials was entirely up to the individual, and it wasn’t something that could be solved by helping from the sidelines.

But seeing him like this, it seemed that the trials had given Yeon Ji-Pyeong a great deal of enlightenment. Before his martial arts, the man himself seemed much greater than before.

Moyong Gun smiled and said,

“The Yeon family is truly remarkable.”

“Yes?”

“Like Ho-Jeong, you too, Ji-Pyeong, show a demeanor that doesn’t suit your age.”

“You flatter me. I am not even close to my older brother’s level.”

“Don’t think like that. We live in the martial world, but martial arts aren’t everything. From what I see, you seem to have attained the Still Sword, a level that even Ho-Jeong hasn’t reached.”

“My older brother doesn’t need to reach the Still Sword.”

“That’s true. What I mean is that we are each pursuing different things, and there’s no point in comparing who is better.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong smiled.

“I will keep that in mind.”

He probably already knew that himself. It was just a humble statement.

Moyong Gun also knew of Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s humility. He just wanted to let him know that in this harsh world, excessive humility could sometimes be a problem.

“By the way, that sword of yours is no ordinary sword.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s eyes gleamed.

“Does it look that way?”

“It’s imbued with a soul. It might be just an ordinary sword if I were to use it, but in your hands, it would be no less than any treasured sword.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong said with a surprised expression.

“You can tell?”

Moyong Gun tapped his Tangma Greatsword.

“I am a swordsman too.”

“Although we are each on our own path to enlightenment, it seems you have truly learned a great deal, Moyong Brother.”

“You flatter me. I’m still far from it.”

Moyong Gun, who had been smiling quietly, stroked his chin.

“I’ve sparred with Ho-Jeong many times. But since we have different martial arts, I’ve never truly experienced the Yeon family’s martial arts.”

Moyong Gun gripped his sword hilt.

“How about it? It seems your younger brother isn’t sleepy either. Shall we have a light exchange?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong bowed his head.

“It would be an honor.”

“Good. Shall we start right away?”

“However, I haven’t fully mastered my sword yet. It’s not that I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it, Moyong Brother, but if we’re going to spar, I’d like to show you properly. So, how about we postpone this spar for three days?”

“Hoo.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“That’s fine too. I also want to see all of your training, if possible.”

“Thank you for waiting.”

“What thanks? If that’s also a form of learning, then I should be more grateful to you for agreeing to the spar.”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong knew that Moyong Gun’s words were sincere.

That’s why he was impressed. It’s not easy for a strong person to try to learn something from someone weaker than themselves.

At least, as far as his attitude towards martial arts was concerned, he was someone worth learning from. That’s what Yeon Ji-Pyeong thought.

Perhaps that’s why Yeon Ji-Pyeong suddenly became curious.

“By any chance.”

“Hmm?”

“You said you used to spar with my older brother often…”

“I did. Though I never won, haha.”

“Did you ever notice any excessive killing intent in my older brother’s martial arts?”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

“Is that what you were curious about?”

Yeon Ji-Pyeong sighed quietly.

“I don’t think it’s a big problem. But I had some concerns and curiosity.”

“Concerns and curiosity.”

“After attaining the Still Sword and gaining a higher level of sword intent, the world looked different. At least, I think I finally know what kind of sword I’m pursuing.”

“That’s quite an achievement. Especially considering your age.”

“As you said earlier, each person’s enlightenment is different. But in my opinion, Ho-Jeong’s martial arts were excessively destructive and filled with killing intent.”

“That’s understandable.”

What appeared on Yeon Ji-Pyeong’s face was genuine concern.

“After understanding sword intent, I realized that even with a strong mind, it’s difficult to prevent the erosion of bloodlust. If you use martial arts that are filled with killing intent and destruction, there’s a risk that you’ll eventually reach a state of mental breakdown, no matter how strong your will is.”

Moyong Gun nodded.

“Your eyes are accurate. That’s why many sects train the mind first before teaching high-level martial arts.”

“In your opinion, Moyong Brother, do you think my older brother is alright?”

“Well… that’s something I don’t know. Not just me, but no one can know Ho-Jeong’s martial arts and future.”

“…I see.”

“However, I know one thing for sure.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“If he were someone who could be broken by mere killing intent, the Ho-Jeong of today wouldn’t exist.”

“Is, is that so?”

“Trust your brother. I had similar concerns about the Ho-Jeong of the past, but not anymore. Thanks to your father and many others, the current Ho-Jeong has established a clear line that will not be broken by any evil.”

Moyong Gun looked up at the sky.

The northern sky, the humid sky of Gwangdong, seemed to have dim starlight.

“Ho-Jeong has a line. A line that allows him to see the world correctly without being tainted by killing intent. I don’t know if he’s aware of it himself, but at least in my eyes, Ho-Jeong is gradually walking the right path.”

“……”

“He’ll do better than anyone. I believe that.”

* * *

Flash!

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes blazed with light.

Starting with a flamboyant display of killing intent, his muscles, which had been relaxed, felt appropriately tense. At least, it was markedly different from when he had talked with Yang Cheon yesterday.

Yang Cheon said,

“Since this is a formal occasion, let’s have the drinking party later. If you make a decision that satisfies me, I’ll treat you to the finest liquor.”

“Then let’s do that.”

“Good.”

“Before that.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong glanced at Jeok Yeon and Yeon Sim.

“If you had guests, you should have said so. As you know, we’re not on the best of terms.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said, pointing at Jeong An.

Yang Cheon nodded.

“I know. But in my opinion, there’s no need to make separate arrangements.”

That’s a lie.

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

Was it because he had a suitable level of tension and composure? He could pick up on the emotions in Yang Cheon’s voice much more sensitively than yesterday.

“I’m noticing this anew, but Vice-Chief, you’re a very greedy person.”

“That’s a very new observation.”

“Even though you already have a lot of wealth and subordinates, you’re trying to get your hands on the divine sword?”

Yang Cheon shrugged his shoulders.

“Because I’m greedy?”

“It’s just a shame that your ideology and mine are so different.”

In an instant, Yang Cheon’s face hardened.

“Are you going to reject my offer?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Whether I reject or accept depends on what you do, Vice-Chief.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll be direct.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong pointed at Jeok Yeon and Yeon Sim with his finger.

“Give up Bota.”

“……”

“Let’s start with that. That’s the right thing to do.”

“……Hmm.”

Yang Cheon clicked his tongue.

“That might be right for you, but not for me. And while we’re on the topic, no matter what the situation is, I didn’t call them here. They came to me first.”

That was true. He had been planning to destroy Bota for a long time and had even caused conflicts, but Yang Cheon hadn’t expected them to come to him first.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s smile gradually turned colder.

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, I’ll help you make a decision easily, Vice-Chief.”

“Hmm?”

“Them, or me?”

“……What do you mean?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong raised his chin.

“Do you want to obtain Bota’s divine sword? Fine, do it. But if you want to wield that divine sword, you’ll have to give up a good chess piece.”

Yang Cheon’s eyes widened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong continued.

“At least, I don’t think I’m worse than Bota, but what do you think, Vice-Chief?”

“……”

“If you want to use me, abandon Bota. Do you want to obtain Bota? Do it. I’ll take care of my own household first.”

“Are you really going to do this?”

“That’s what I should be saying.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face became even colder.

“You should be greedy while keeping the situation in mind. You’ve gone too far this time, Vice-Chief. Despite that, I’m offering you a talent like myself. Isn’t this a groundbreaking offer?”

“……”

“An axe? Or a sword? Choose.”